An armed group with links to al-Qaeda has in recent months arbitrarily arrested scores of residents in areas under their control in Idlib, Hama.
Middle East articles on Democracy Chronicles
View news about the struggle for democracy in the troubled Middle East where vast cultural change and persistent political violence cry out for democracy. Also see our World Democracy section and our articles on the ongoing Arab Spring.
Bahrain Court Upholds Life Sentences for Opposition Figures
Bahrain’s highest court on Monday upheld life sentences for a prominent Shi’ite cleric Ali Salman who led the country’s now-outlawed opposition party.
Egypt’s LGBT Crackdown Expands to Stifle Journalists
The conviction of Mohamed Al-Ghaity, a host on satellite channel LTV, reveals the lengths the government will go to crackdown on discussion of LGBT issues.
Prominent Iranian Labor Activist Ismael Bakhshi Rearrested
Iranian authorities on January 20, 2019 arrested two activists who had alleged that authorities tortured them in detention, Human Rights Watch said today.
Amnesty Criticizes Iran’s Mass Arrest Campaign in 2018
Iran arrested more than 7,000 people last year, including dozens of journalists, in what Amnesty International called a “shameless campaign of repression”.
Tortured Saudi Arabian Political Dissidents Remain Imprisoned
Saudi authorities should allow independent international monitors to enter Saudi Arabia and meet with detainees, including those who have alleged torture.
Turkey to Launch International Investigation of Khashoggi Killing
Turkey is planning to launch an international investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and will take further steps in coming days.
Egypt TV Host Gets Year in Prison for Interviewing Gay Man
Egypt TV host Mohammed el-Gheiti was found guilty of encouraging immorality over an August 2018 segment in which his guest speaker described his profession.
Turkey Detained and Then Deported Dutch Journalist
Turkish authorities detained and then deported Dutch journalist, her newspaper said Thursday — the latest foreign reporter to be ousted from the country.
Important Iraqi Provincial Elections to be Held in November
It is the third time for Iraq to announce a date for the provincial elections, which were initially set to be held simultaneously with the parliament elections in May.